EDUC 450: Reading #7 – Teaching Themes of Care

This article acknowledged many aspects of education that are not formerly identified in curriculum content but is widely known to occur in schools. That is, teachers are expected to act as role models and guides in developing students morals and values in addition to the standard curriculum expectations.

Overall, I support the author’s claim that schools and teachers need to take an active and conscious approach to incorporating care within the classroom. Personally, I attended Catholic schools throughout my schooling and found that a caring attitude was continuously present in all subject matters. I was fortunate to have teachers relate content to current life examples to draw out our thoughts and opinions toward any possible injustices. Even though it was a Catholic setting, religion was not the only factor that influenced this atmosphere. A general desire to help students develop into citizens that care and help their communities, no matter their spiritual inclinations, was chief.

What causes me to hesitate with Nodding’s arguments is the extent to which teachers should assume to role of including social justice in curriculum. Depending on the students, the grade levels, the demographic, the community, the district, etc., teachers may be supported or rejected to take on such a role. In a public school setting, creating a classroom setting that continuously discussed spirituality may cause some students discomfort or be challenged by parents, for example. Other more controversial issues that the author suggests to incorporate in curriculum may also cause controversy from a parent’s point of view.

As much as I would love to challenge my students to become aware of inequalities in the past and present and to then take on an active caring role, is it my responsibility as a teacher? How can I understand the freedoms, or limits, in my school community to effectively foster a caring attitude amongst my students? To truly be effective, it seems as if departments, and whole school staff need to work towards this common goal. Given my past experiences in only Catholic school settings, how are these values promoted in a Public school setting with so many cultures and religious beliefs present?